For a small village that no one has ever heard of, Plympton St Maurice certainly knows how to make a splash with its Midsummer Festival.
This year it will be celebrating one of its most famous residents, artist Sir Joshua Reynolds, who was born in Plympton St Maurice 300 years ago. The celebration of his birth formally takes place in July and the residents have a three-day event planned to mark the life of one of Britain’s most famous artists. Celebrations begin before that though, with the very popular Midsummer Festival on Friday June 16 to Sunday June 18. The three-day event is built round the historic Lamb Feast, held on the Castle Green for hundreds of years.
Every year the village is packed with visitors wanting to enjoy the events. The young Sir Joshua Reynolds would no doubt have known the venue for the first one. The choir bearing his name will be singing a varied repertoire ‘Colour My World – Painting Pictures with Music.’ It’s held in the ancient village Guildhall, which was around when Sir Josh was a small boy. The programme begins at 7.30pm and tickets are £7 on the door. Refreshments will be available.
When he was a lad, Sir Josh might have known a version of the Lamb Feast – which was probably being held on the Castle Green. In those days, instead of bouncy slides, cake stalls, music, judo displays, mouthwatering food and enough entertainment to keep the kids happy for hours, Sir Josh would have watched strapping Devonian chaps ‘wrestle for a purse of guineas’ or ‘Gurning, bobbing and diving’ whatever that might be. He might even have had a go at ‘Cudgel playing for a silver cup.’
This year, the Lamb Feast will be opened by Plympton’s Stannator, Andrew Cooper. When not donning his chain of office Andy can be seen in the events arena throwing his weight around – or those of his judo pupils as they demonstrate martial arts skills, just one of the arena entertainments. Residents can get dog to put her best paw forward in the dog show. Householders can stock their garden with plants, admire the many craft stalls and drool over the impressive range of classic cars that will be on show – there’s so much to see and do and it’s all free!
Enjoy live music at the midsummer festival and if it all gets too much, retire to The Guildhall for tea and cakes. Sir Josh would approve, not only about the cakes but the fact that the beautiful building will house an art exhibition by The Plympton Art Group.
Gardeners in their droves turn out for the very special ‘Hidden Gardens of Plympton St Maurice’ on Sunday June 18. Gates, doors and paths open at 2pm to people who have travelled from all over the area to admire the huge range of gardening artistry.
From cultivated mediaeval piggeries, allotments in the Castle moat, huge walled gardens bearing fruit and flowers to the chance to see the rare Saxon strip gardens – it’s something to make visitors hearts sing whether they have green fingers or not. Tickets cost £5, children free. Available outside the Guildhall, the bottom of George Lane or Dark Street Lane.
Visitors can also enjoy the Lady Morris dancers. who are expected to entertain the footsore as they make their way to the church hall for a cuppa and cake.
As professional as the event is, it takes a huge amount of organising. Meetings started back in the winter and the festival relies on a legion of volunteers from the area to ensure it’s successful.
James Heesem,, one of the organisers said: “It’s a testament to our lovely community that the event is always a success.”
